Armed robbery suspect leads police on high-speed chase

THIBODAUX - Police said a man was arrested in connection with an armed robbery that happened earlier this year after he led officers on a high-speed chase through Terrebonne Parish.

49-year-old Cristopher Smith was booked on charges of armed robbery, aggravated flight from an officer, possession of alcoholic beverages in a motor vehicle, violation of a stop sign and contempt of a Thibodaux court warrant for failure to appear on traffic charges. The man was also booked on possession with intent to distribute multiple narcotics including amphetamine, methamphetamine, MDMA, hydrocodone, marijuana and heroin.

At around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Thibodaux Police said a patrolling officer spotted a Nissan sedan that failed to stop at a stop sign. When the officers attempted to stop the car, the vehicle took off, leading officers on a high-speed chase that reached speeds of 95 mph.

At one point during the pursuit, police said the vehicle rammed a wrought iron gate and drove through a yard before getting back on the roadway.

The vehicle didn't slow until its hood flew up, blocking the view of the driver, Smith. He continued to flee until the pursuit ended on a dead end road in Terrebonne Parish.

Once Smith was in custody, officers said they discovered illegal drugs and cash. They also discovered a number of active warrants for the man, one of them being armed robbery.

Investigators said Smith and an accomplice robbed several victims at gunpoint at a hotel in Thibodaux in February of this year.

Smith was taken to the Lafourche Parish Detention Center where he remains on $261,300 bond. Thibodaux Police said they were assisted in the pursuit by Terrebonne Parish Sheriff's Office deputies and Louisiana State Police.